A little talk with a Haitian professional astronomer...

 

Text in English            Teks an Kreyol Aysyen

John Maxen Larose:

Good evening Dr. Rulx

On the occasion of 100 Hours of Astronomy this year, we are happy to join you to talk about this event,

First tell us How are you?

And can you tell us a little about yourself and your experience as a professional astronomer

Captain Astro:

Thank you very much Mr. Larose for helping us take advantage of this opportunity, 100 Hours of Astronomy, that IAU brings to us. Am I ok? Well, you know at that moment, no Haitian, in Haiti or in the diaspora, can say it's well, because of the socio-political crisis at home. Time for things to change! And this will allow young people to develop their scientific curiosity finally. Because I meet many fellow Haitians who are very interested in science in general, astronomy in particular, but they are stuck in looking for their basic needs, such as survival, security in everything. It is difficult to finish an academic year normally. All these things can't be good... none of us can be good... and that's not good for developing my dream: developing astronomy in Haiti.

I am an Expert in Astronomy graduated from Bircham International University since 2018, but I have been doing astronomy since I was 12 years old with my father. As a professional astronomer now, I evolved mainly in the sector of promotion and awareness of astronomy in my surroundings, whether it was the community, school, media or university. But I am mainly focusing on a strategy to implement professional university training for physicists and astronomers in Haiti and how to organize this professional sector in the country. This would also mean that we would go to the high level of the state to influence positively in this sense. Because it would be the only guarantee that what we are trying to do would not remain only for a small group of people, a small group of astronomer friends. As a professional astronomer, my vision is for us to have a large "productive" astronomical community ensuring not only the rise but also the permanence of fundamental and applied research in astronomy.

It is in this framework that I started with the association Société Haitienne d'Astronomie which is trying to promote and raise awareness in astronomy and also form a network of astronomy clubs to do the same work. The International Astronomical Union gave us technical back-up to do some activities. Club d'Astronomie de Tabarre is one of the clubs that perform in this work thanks to you M. Larose.

John Maksen Larose: We were happy for this beautiful drawing, thank you very much Dr. Rulx

Now can you help us understand why we celebrate 100 Hours of Astronomy in the world

Captain Astro:

100 Hours of Astronomy is an activity launched by the IAU every year to mobilize the astronomical community around the world, because we are all under one sky. This astronomical community is not only professional, but amateur astronomers, young men and women who would like to know what is happening above, in the sky, and even on Earth. We are waiting for all categories of people, students, teachers, workers and so on. All professional categories are included, if you are curious.

And, it is also an opportunity to let people know that we are not alone, in this kind of activity: the whole world is observing the sky, we are all under one sky, we Haitians, we are also under the same sky even though we seek and have problems . Astronomy is for everyone, even Haitians! Even if we don't have an observatory, even if we don't have a university department for astronomy, even if we haven't sent anything into space, we Haitians, whether children, youth or adults, we want to be there because astronomy is for everyone!

We remind you that in 2019, despite all the socio-political problems that the country was going through (and that we continue to go through to this day), Haitian youth managed to mobilize to give and choose among several names from our culture and history we have given a star (HD1502) and an exoplanet (HD1502b). Since then, and recognized by IAU, the star is called "Citadelle" & its exoplanet is called "Indépendance". In 2022, IAU has just launched a brand new edition called NameExoworlds 2022

John Maksen Larose: We are glad you are coming to NameExoWorlds 2022.

Can you do a little reminder on how we can apply for the NameExoworlds 2022 contest.

Captain Astro:

In the edition of NameExoworlds 2022, there is a community aspect to understand well: it is not a single person who applies, but a group that comes together to choose a name that comes from our culture and history again. In the process of choosing these names, the group gathered together with the communities close to it to explain what exoplanets are and why these names will be sent to the contest. All these steps are important to inform the IAU Outreach Office through video and other media. All these documents must reach IAU before November 11, 2022, either by email or by online form. There is a National committee that is there to help any group that would decide to help Haiti succeed once again, like in 2019, in this international competition. It is on March 20, 2023 that IAU will give the final result.

It is important to remember that it is an international contest and there are 20 exoplanetary systems available. If we do not hurry and if we do not choose good names from our culture and history, and especially in our native language, we may not even attend the draw. I know we Haitians can show what we can do, given the opportunities! I know that our intelligence and spirit have no borders, because we have "l'Univers pour Frontière!"